Toy vehicle track accessory

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle track accessory comprising a main body having a first pathway, a second pathway, and a third pathway that bifurcates into the first and second pathways. A first track connector is pivotably coupled to the first pathway and is pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body. A second track connector is pivotably coupled to the second pathway and is pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body. A third track connector is pivotably coupled to the third pathway and is pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to tracks for toy vehicles, and inparticular, to a track accessory for use with other track segments andtoy vehicle track sets.

BACKGROUND

Toy vehicles with wheels that roll and spin freely with minimal frictionhave long been a source of entertainment for children of all ages. Avariety of tracks and raceways have further been developed for use withsuch toy vehicles. The tracks and raceways may be a simple straighttrack or include variations such as curves, loops, and ramps.Additionally, track sets have been developed which allow a child toassemble individual track segments in different layouts and sequences tocreate different raceways. While a variety of shapes and geometries forindividual track segments may be found in the art, there remains anopportunity to enhance a child's play experience by providing new andunique track segments and accessories that can be used when creating toyvehicle raceways.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A track accessory that allows for the converging or diverging of trackset pathways for toy vehicles is disclosed herein. In accordance withone or more embodiments of the present invention, the toy vehicle trackaccessory comprises a main body that defines a first toy vehiclepathway, a second toy vehicle pathway, and a third toy vehicle pathway.Depending on the direction in which a toy vehicle travels through thetrack accessory, the first and second pathways converge into the thirdpathway or in other instances, the third pathway bifurcates into thefirst and second pathways. A first track connector, a second trackconnector, and a third track connector are pivotably coupled to thefirst, second, and third pathways, respectively. The first, second, andthird track connectors are each pivotable in a direction coplanar withthe main body.

The first pathway has a first end with a first angular portion, thesecond pathway has a second end with a second angular portion, and thethird pathway has a third end with a third angular portion. The firsttrack connector includes a protrusion that is configured to engage thefirst angular portion. The center of the protrusion of the first trackconnector is aligned proximate the vertex of the first angular portion.The second track connector includes a protrusion configured to engagethe second angular portion. The center of the protrusion of the secondtrack connector is aligned proximate the vertex of the second angularportion. The third track connector includes a protrusion configured toengage the third angular portion. The center of the protrusion of thethird track connector is aligned proximate the vertex of the thirdangular portion.

Each of the first, second, and third angular portions has a convex edgewith an interior angle of less than 180 degrees. In one instance, theinterior angles of the first, second, and third angular portions are thesame. In another instance, the interior angles of the first and secondangular portions are the same, but the interior angle of the thirdangular portion is different from the interior angles of the first andsecond angular portions. In yet another instance, the interior angles ofthe first, second, and third angular portions are all different.

In one or more embodiments, the first pathway includes a first arcuateopening, the second pathway includes a second arcuate opening, and thethird pathway includes a third arcuate opening. The first trackconnector includes a projection that travels lengthwise along the firstarcuate opening when the first track connector is pivoted. The secondtrack connector includes a second projection that travels lengthwisealong the second arcuate opening when the second track connector ispivoted. The third track connector includes a third projection thattravels lengthwise along the third arcuate opening when the third trackconnector is pivoted.

In other embodiments, the first pathway includes a pair of first arcuateopenings, the second pathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings,and the third pathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings. Thefirst track connector includes a pair of first projections that travellengthwise along the first arcuate openings when the first trackconnector is pivoted. The second track connector includes a pair ofsecond projections that travel lengthwise along the second arcuateopenings when the second track connector is pivoted. The third trackconnector includes a pair of third projections that travel lengthwisealong the third arcuate openings when the third track connector ispivoted.

The main body, first track connector, second track connector, and thirdtrack connector may each include a pair of opposing track walls. Incertain instances, the track walls of the main body include widenedsections sized to accommodate the track walls of the first, second, andthird track connectors. In one or more embodiments, the first, second,and third track connectors each include a semicircular portion. The mainbody includes semicircular indentations sized to receive thesemicircular portions of the first, second, and third track connectors.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the toyvehicle track accessory comprises a main body including a first trackwall on a first edge of the main body, a second track wall on a secondedge of the main body opposite the first edge, and a divider between thefirst and second track walls. The first track wall, second track wall,and divider collectively define a first pathway and a second pathwaythat converge into a third pathway. A pivotable first track connectorextends from the first pathway. The first track connector includes asemicircular portion positioned between the first track wall anddivider. A pivotable second track connector extends from the secondpathway. The second track connector includes a semicircular portionpositioned between the divider and the second track wall. A pivotablethird track connector extends from the third pathway. The third trackconnector includes a semicircular portion positioned between the firsttrack wall and the second track wall.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that thedetailed description, drawings, and examples provided, while disclosingsome embodiments, are given by way of illustration and not limitation.Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the presentinvention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 provides a top view of a toy vehicle track accessory, inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 provides a bottom view of the toy vehicle track accessory shownin FIG. 1, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of a portion of the toy vehicleaccessory shown in FIG. 1 where a track connector is pivoted, inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 provides a side perspective view of the toy vehicle accessoryshown in FIG. 1 where the track connectors are pivoted in differentdirections, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 provides a top view of the toy vehicle track accessory shown inFIG. 1 where the track connectors are pivoted left, in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 provides a bottom view of the toy vehicle track accessory shownin FIG. 5, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A track accessory for toy vehicles is described that facilitates theconverging or diverging of toy vehicle pathways from different tracksegments and accessories. The track accessory includes a plurality ofpivotable track connectors that allow the different track segments andaccessories to be coupled or connected to the track accessory at variousangles or orientations.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the toy vehicletrack accessory is shown. The track accessory 100 is shown having threepathways that toy vehicles can travel along, specifically a firstpathway A, second pathway B, and third pathway C. Depending on theorientation of the track accessory 100 when it is connected as part of atrack set or raceway and the direction in which the toy vehicles travelthrough the track accessory 100 (as represented by the double arrows),the track accessory 100 facilitates the converging or diverging of toyvehicles traveling through the track accessory 100. In one instance, oneor more toy vehicles enter the track accessory 100 via pathway A and/orpathway B. Pathway A and pathway B converge into pathway C, throughwhich the toy vehicles exit the track accessory 100. In anotherinstance, one or more toy vehicles enter the track accessory 100 viapathway C, which then bifurcates into pathway A and pathway B. The toyvehicles are randomly split between pathway A and pathway B as they exitthe track accessory 100.

Though track accessory 100 is shown as having two pathways that convergeinto one pathway (or one pathway that bifurcates into two pathways),other embodiments of the track accessory may include any number ofconverging/diverging inlet and outlet pathways. For example, the trackaccessory may have three pathways that merge into one pathway or twopathways that split into four pathways. Furthermore, in the illustrativeembodiment shown in FIG. 1, pathways A and B are each of a width thatonly allows for a single toy vehicle to travel along the pathway (i.e.,single toy vehicle lane). In other embodiments, pathways A and/or B mayhave a width that allows for more than one toy vehicle lane such thatmultiple toy vehicles can travel along the same pathway concurrently.

The track accessory 100 has a planar track surface with vertical sidewalls that help retain toy vehicles within the pathways while toyvehicles travel through the track accessory 100. In FIG. 1, pathway A islined in part by walls 102, 104, 110, pathway B is lined in part bywalls 106, 108, 112, and pathway C is lined in part by walls 110, 112,114, 116. The track accessory 100 also includes a divider 118 thatprotrudes from the track surface. Similar to the side walls 102-116, thedivider 118 also helps retain toy vehicles within pathways A and B, aswell as facilitates the converging or diverging of toy vehicles whilethe toy vehicles travel through the track accessory 100.

The track accessory 100 has a main body 120 with three pivotable trackconnectors 122, 124, 126 coupled to the main body 120. Each pivotabletrack connector 122, 124, 126 has a coupling portion 128, 130, 132. Thecoupling portion of the track connector may be any structure suitablefor facilitating selective end-to-end connection or coupling of thetrack accessory 100 to another track segment or a component of a trackset. For instance, the track connector may be configured to receive atongue-and-groove friction-fit connector and/or a snap-together nestingtab. With the pivotable track connectors 122, 124, 126, the trackaccessory 100 can be coupled with other track segments in differentorders and arrangements, which gives a child the freedom to creativelyconstruct different raceway layouts.

Referring now to FIG. 2 in combination with FIG. 3, the underside orbottom of pathways A, B, and C includes respective angular portions 202,204, 206. Each angular portion 202, 204, 206 includes a convex edge 201(see FIG. 3 for a representative edge) extending between two sidewallsto define corner angles θ1 (see FIG. 3 for a representative angle) ateach edge of the angular portions 202, 204, 206. Approximately halfwaybetween the two corners angles θ1, the interior side of the convex edge201 defines an interior angle θ2 (see FIG. 3 for a representative angle)of less than 180 degrees. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, theangular portion 202 has an interior angle θ2 of approximately 160degrees. Furthermore, the interior angles θ2 of the angular portions 202and 204 may be the same and the interior angle θ2 of angular portion 206may be different from the interior angle θ2 of angular portions 202,204. For example, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, theinterior angles θ2 of angular portions 202 and 204 are the same and theinterior angle θ2 of the third angular portion 206 is different. Inother embodiments, the interior angles θ2 of angular portions 202, 204,206 are all the same. In yet other embodiments, the interior angles θ2of angular portions 202, 204, 206 are all different.

Each track connector 122, 124, 126 includes a straight protrusion 208,210, 212 that is configured to abut a respective angular portion 202,204 or 206 when the track connector is pivoted to specific positions(see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4). The center of each of straight protrusions208, 210, 212 is aligned proximate the vertex of its respective angularportion 202, 204, 206 prior to pivoting the track connectors 122, 124,126, insofar as the vertex is the top or apex of the convex edge 201defining the interior angle θ2. For example, a midpoint or center of thestraight protrusions 208, 210, 212 may abut or be closely spaced (e.g.,greater than 0 mm, but less than 20 mm) from a midpoint of the convexedge 201 of the angular portion 202, 204, 206 prior to pivoting thetrack connectors 122, 124, 126. Alternatively, a line bisecting thestraight protrusions 208, 210, 212 at (i.e., extending perpendicularlyfrom the midpoint or center) may align with a midpoint of the convexedge 201 of the angular portion 202, 204, 206 prior to pivoting thetrack connectors 122, 124, 126. Consequently, the angular portions 202,204, 206 each restrict the range of movement of their respective trackconnector 122, 124, 126.

As an example, in FIG. 3, the track connector 122 has been pivoted suchthat a right half of the straight protrusion 208 abuts a right side ofthe angular portion 202 (insofar as “side” is used to described theportion of the angular portion between the vertex and the sidewall) andis prevented from being further pivoted towards the right. When thetrack connector 122 is pivoted to the left in direction G, the otherhalf of the straight protrusion 208 eventually abuts the left side ofthe angular portion 202 and the track connector 122 is prevented frompivoting any further in direction G. Thus, an angular portion with asmaller interior angle θ2 allows the track connector to have a widerrange of movement in comparison to an angular portion with a largerinterior angle θ2.

The track connectors 122, 124, 126 are configured to pivot in directionsthat are coplanar with the main body 120. That is, each track connector122, 124, 126 may rotate or pivot about an axis that is perpendicular toa travel direction of vehicles along the track accessory 100 and/or asupport surface on which the track accessory 100 is resting. Forexample, in FIG. 2, track connectors 122, 124, 126 pivot respectively indirections D, E, F. The track connectors 122, 124, 126 may beindividually pivoted and adjusted to different positions relative to themain body 120. FIG. 5 shows track connectors 122, 124, 126 all pivotedtowards the left. Because the interior angle θ2 of the angular portion206 underneath pathway C is smaller than the interior angles θ2 of theangular portions 202, 204 underneath pathways A and B, track connector126 is able to pivot more (e.g., angularly further) than trackconnectors 122, 124. Overall, the track connectors 122, 124, 126 allowfor greater variability in the positioning of track segments andaccessories that are coupled to the track accessory 100. For example, ina raceway layout assembled using various conventional track segments andaccessories, the ends of the track segments and accessories are oftenoriented in positions that prevent the ends from being aligned with andconnected to certain track segments (e.g., preventing a closed loop frombeing formed). Since the track connectors 122, 124, 126 can pivot, thetrack accessory 100 can accommodate variances in the angles at whichother track segments and accessories are able to connect with the trackaccessory 100. This allows the track accessory 100 to be easily combinedwith other track segments and accessories in a variety of racewaylayouts.

As shown in FIG. 5, the track walls 110, 112 along the main body 120include widened sections 302, 304, 306, 308 sized to accommodateportions of track walls 102, 108, 114, and 116. The divider 118 also hasindented sections 310, 312 to accommodate portions of track walls 104,106. The widened sections of track walls 110, 112 and the indentedsections of the divider 118 allow the track connectors 122, 124, 126 topivot while still helping retain toy vehicles within pathways A, B, andC while the toy vehicles travel through the track accessory 100.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the track connectors122, 124, 126 each include a semicircular portion 314, 316, 318. Themain body 120 includes semicircular indentations sized to receive therespective semicircular portions 314, 316, 318. The semicircularportions 314, 316, 318 allow the track connectors 122, 124, 126 to bepivoted to any position and still provide a substantially smooth planarsurface as a toy vehicle travels from a track connector 122, 124, 126 tothe main body 120 or vice versa.

As shown in FIG. 6, in at least some embodiments, the track accessory100 may include pairs of arcuate openings 402 a, 402 b, 404 a, 404 b,406 a, 406 b along each pathway A, B, C on the main body 120. Trackconnectors 122, 124, 126 each have a pair of projections 408 a, 408 b,410 a, 410 b, 412 a, 412 b positioned to engage with a respective pairof arcuate openings 402 a, 402 b, 404 a, 404 b, 406 a, 406 b. In thisillustrative embodiment, the pair of projections are positioned on theunderside of the semicircular portions 314, 316, 318, which furthercover the arcuate openings on the main body 120. Each projection travelslengthwise along its respective arcuate opening while the trackconnector is pivoted. For instance, track connector 122 has a pair ofprojections 410 a, 410 b that engage with and travel along arcuateopenings 404 a, 404 b.

In certain embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 6, the main body120 further comprises additional openings 600 that allow the trackaccessory 100 to have a lighter weight and require less material toproduce/manufacture when compared to a track accessory without theadditional openings 600. The openings 600 are specifically positioned tocreate a zig-zag pattern of material which allows the track accessory100 to retain sufficient rigidity to support multiple toy vehiclestraveling on the track accessory 100 at high speeds. Furthermore, wheelsurfaces 602, 604, 606 on the upper or top side of the main body 120partially cover portions of the openings 600 so that the wheels of thetoy vehicles can smoothly roll across the openings.

Although the disclosed embodiments are illustrated and described hereinas embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of the present embodiments and within the scope and range ofequivalents of the claims.

Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,”“top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,”“upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the likeas may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of referenceand do not limit the present embodiments to any particular orientationor configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” may be used herein todescribe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein asexemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageousembodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possibleembodiment.

Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may beincorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A toy vehicle track accessory comprising: a main body defining afirst pathway and a second pathway that converge into a third pathway,the first pathway having a first end with a first angular portion, thesecond pathway having a second end with a second angular portion, thethird pathway having a third end with a third angular portion, whereineach of the first, second, and third angular portions have a convex edgewith an interior angle of less than 180 degrees; a first track connectorpivotably coupled to the first end, the first track connector pivotablein a direction coplanar with the main body and further including aprotrusion configured to engage the first angular portion; a secondtrack connector pivotably coupled to the second end, the second trackconnector pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body andfurther including a protrusion configured to engage the second angularportion; and a third track connector pivotably coupled to the third end,the third track connector pivotable in a direction coplanar with themain body and further including a protrusion configured to engage thethird angular portion.
 2. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1,wherein the interior angles of the first, second, and third angularportions are the same.
 3. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1,wherein: the interior angles of the first and second angular portionsare the same; and the interior angle of the third angular portion isdifferent from the interior angles of the first and second angularportions.
 4. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein: themain body, first track connector, second track connector, and thirdtrack connector each include a pair of opposing track walls; and thetrack walls of the main body include widened sections sized toaccommodate the track walls of the first, second, and third trackconnectors.
 5. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein: thefirst pathway includes a first arcuate opening, the second pathwayincludes a second arcuate opening, and the third pathway includes athird arcuate opening; and the first track connector includes aprojection that travels lengthwise along the first arcuate opening whenthe first track connector is pivoted, the second track connectorincludes a second projection that travels lengthwise along the secondarcuate opening when the second track connector is pivoted, and thethird track connector includes a third projection that travelslengthwise along the third arcuate opening when the third trackconnector is pivoted.
 6. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1,wherein: the first pathway includes a pair of first arcuate openings,the second pathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings, and thethird pathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings; and the firsttrack connector includes a pair of first projections that travellengthwise along the first arcuate openings when the first trackconnector is pivoted, the second track connector includes a pair ofsecond projections that travel lengthwise along the second arcuateopenings when the second track connector is pivoted, and the third trackconnector includes a pair of third projections that travel lengthwisealong the third arcuate openings when the third track connector ispivoted.
 7. A toy vehicle track accessory comprising: a main bodyincluding a first track wall on a first edge of the main body, a secondtrack wall on a second edge of the main body opposite the first edge,and a divider between the first and second track walls, wherein thefirst track wall, second track wall, and divider collectively define afirst pathway and a second pathway that converge into a third pathway; apivotable first track connector extending from the first pathway, thefirst track connector including a semicircular portion positionedbetween the first track wall and divider; a pivotable second trackconnector extending from the second pathway, the second track connectorincluding a semicircular portion positioned between the divider and thesecond track wall; and a pivotable third track connector extending fromthe third pathway, the third track connector including a semicircularportion positioned between the first track wall and the second trackwall.
 8. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: the firstpathway includes a first arcuate opening, the second pathway includes asecond arcuate opening, and the third pathway includes a third arcuateopening; and the semicircular portion of the first track connectorincludes a projection that travels lengthwise along the first arcuateopening when the first track connector is pivoted, the semicircularportion of the second track connector includes a second projection thattravels lengthwise along the second arcuate opening when the secondtrack connector is pivoted, and the semicircular portion of the thirdtrack connector includes a third projection that travels lengthwisealong the third arcuate opening when the third track connector ispivoted.
 9. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: thefirst pathway includes a pair of first arcuate openings, the secondpathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings, and the thirdpathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings; and the semicircularportion of the first track connector includes a pair of firstprojections that travel lengthwise along the first arcuate openings whenthe first track connector is pivoted, the semicircular portion of thesecond track connector includes a pair of second projections that travellengthwise along the second arcuate openings when the second trackconnector is pivoted, and the semicircular portion of the third trackconnector includes a pair of third projections that travel lengthwisealong the third arcuate openings when the third track connector ispivoted.
 10. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: thefirst track connector, second track connector, and third track connectoreach include a pair of opposing connector track walls; and the first andsecond track walls of the main body include widened sections sized toaccommodate the connector track walls of the first, second, and thirdtrack connectors.
 11. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7,wherein the main body includes semicircular indentations sized toreceive the semicircular portions of the first, second, and third trackconnectors.
 12. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: themain body includes a first angular portion between the first track walland divider, a second angular portion between the divider and secondtrack wall, and a third angular portion between the first track wall andsecond track wall; and each of the first, second, and third angularportions have a convex edge with an interior angle of less than 180degrees.
 13. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 12, wherein: thefirst track connector includes a straight protrusion configured to abutthe first angular portion; the second track connector includes astraight protrusion configured to abut the second angular portion; andthe third track connector includes a straight protrusion configured toabut the third angular portion.
 14. The toy vehicle track accessory ofclaim 12, wherein the interior angles of the first, second, and thirdangular portions are the same.
 15. The toy vehicle track accessory ofclaim 12, wherein: the interior angles of the first and second angularportions are the same; and the interior angle of the third angularportion is different from the first and second angular portions.
 16. Atoy vehicle track accessory comprising: a main body comprising a firstpathway, a second pathway, and a third pathway, wherein the thirdpathway bifurcates into the first and second pathways; a first trackconnector pivotably coupled to the first pathway, the first trackconnector pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body; a secondtrack connector pivotably coupled to the second pathway, the secondtrack connector pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body;and a third track connector pivotably coupled to the third pathway, thethird track connector pivotable in a direction coplanar with the mainbody.
 17. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16, wherein: thefirst pathway includes a first angular portion, the second pathwayincludes a second angular portion, and the third pathway includes athird angular portion, wherein each of the first, second, and thirdangular portions have a convex edge with an interior angle of less than180 degrees; the first track connector includes a straight protrusionconfigured to abut the first angular portion, a center of the straightprotrusion aligned proximate a vertex of the convex edge of the firstangular portion; the second track connector includes a straightprotrusion configured to abut the second angular portion, a center ofthe straight protrusion aligned proximate the vertex of the convex edgeof the second angular portion; and the third track connector includes astraight protrusion configured to abut the third angular portion, acenter of the straight protrusion aligned proximate the vertex of theconvex edge of the third angular portion.
 18. The toy vehicle trackaccessory of claim 16, wherein: the first pathway includes a pair offirst arcuate openings, the second pathway includes a pair of secondarcuate openings, and the third pathway includes a pair of third arcuateopenings; and the first track connector includes a pair of firstprojections that travel lengthwise along the first arcuate openings whenthe first track connector is pivoted, the second track connectorincludes a pair of second projections that travel lengthwise along thesecond arcuate openings when the second track connector is pivoted, andthe third track connector includes a pair of third projections thattravel lengthwise along the third arcuate openings when the third trackconnector is pivoted.
 19. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16,wherein: the main body, first track connector, second track connector,and third track connector each include a pair of opposing track walls;and the track walls of the main body include widened sections sized toaccommodate the track walls of the first, second, and third trackconnectors.
 20. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16, wherein:the first, second, and third track connectors each include asemicircular portion; and the main body includes semicircularindentations sized to receive the semicircular portions of the first,second, and third track connectors.